Big Data? Big Issue?

  • Made By CUP With:
  • Students
  • Tags:
  • Court System,
  • Technology,
  • Public Safety

Supporting high school students to understand how the New York Police Department uses big data to police the city.

Students take a group photo at the end of the project.
Students use string to visualize an algorithm.

In 2019, the NYPD introduced a computer program called Patternizr. Patternizr is an example of software that helps police analyze Big Data. These software systems are sometimes referred to as “data-driven policing” or “predictive policing,” and they are used in some of the largest cities across the country. What is Big Data? How does the NYPD use Big Data? How does this impact New Yorkers?

In the winter of 2022, CUP and Teaching Artist Christopher Lopez collaborated with Mr. Mark Leffler’s 12th grade computer science class at the International Community High School (ICHS) in the Bronx, to investigate these issues. The group documented the neighborhood through photography, designed algorithm posters, and talked to community members and stakeholders working on the issue.

The team gathered what they learned and created the booklet Big Data? Big Issue? to teach others about Big Data, policing algorithms, and imagine the future of public safety!

See more photos of students in action here!

Students interview Alice Frontier about big data.
Students survey community members.

“​​The most valuable part of the project for students was seeing the issue from different perspectives. I also got a lot of feedback that they really liked making art.”

— Mr. Mark Leffler, ICHS Classroom Teacher

Check out the Project

The cover and spread from Big Data? Big Issue?

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Project Collaborators

Educational Partner

International Community High School

Mark Leffler
Berena Cabarcas

Teaching Artist

Christopher Lopez


Students

Eduardo Aquino Nina, Enmanuel Arroyo, Adama Bah, Lisbeth Cedano, Maireny Corporan, Diana Cruz, Madiop Diop, Angel Dominguez, Hatouma Doucoure, Zenab Kaba, Zama Kabore, Thanwer Mahmud, Serigne Mbodj, Abimael Mercedes, Ashlier Merejildo, Yoni Miranda, Zabdy Orellana, Melany Ortiz, Melany Panchana Quinche, Joan Parada Franco, Enmanuel Paulino Alberto, Wilfred Quezada Chavez, Malory Quezada, Daniela Reyes, Geika Santos De La Cruz, Maria Santos, Silvia Wilson, Hisham Alamari, Mel Bravo, Claribelisa Catalan Gonzalez, Juan Cruz Baez, Erick Duarte Filpo, Jairo Fernandez, Yancreilin Francisco, Carolyn Guzman, Isarien Lopez, Lerins Martinez, Yovangely Mejia Lino, Leilany Ortiz, Michael Paredes, Náyelin Perez, Randy Polanco, Deryl Quezada, Lady Reyes Ojeda, Yenny Rodriguez Checo, Melanie Salvatierra, Mákale Toure, Derixander Vargas, Lidelis Vargas, Manuel Vargas, Pamela Vasquez, Gustavo Vazquez Pantoja, Lisbeth Acosta, Rasel Ali, Anabel Almanzar, Fatoumata Barry, Zakaria Billa, Renia Bonifacio Suazo, Rafael Candido-Juarez, Valenciano Chavez De Jesus, Hasly Cortes, Melany Del Carmen Diaz, Mirlemny Espino, Martin Espinoza, Danyeiris Garcia Rodriguez, Jean Guilengui Kiki, Habi Kane, Lesvi Orellana Mejia, Jensy Palacios Arriola, Juana Pena Vasquez, Jarison Polanco, Wilber Quezada Chavez, Victor Rumaldo, Amy Samb, Mouhamed Samb, Romaldo Sanchez, Babacar Signate, Emelin Taverez, Manifer Triunfel Castillo, Oumaru Batchilly, Esperanza Cabal, Lauriany Del Rosario, Bassirou Diop, Anarosa Encarnacion Quezada, Winston Estevez, Rafael Guaba, Joselyn Guaraca Tisalema, Heily Guzman Rodriguez, Alexi Heredia, Yeuri Iven, Cheikh Ka, Jonnathan Leon Cela, Danny Mercado, Ouleye Mbow, Oumou Nantoume, Magby Orellana, Lidia Pujol, Willybert Quezada Chavez, Herlin Raxtun, Crismeiry Sanchez, Krystal Solano, Houlaimatou Sow, Syeda Sumaiya

Special Thanks

Albert Fox Cahn, Cynthia Conti-Cook, Alice Fontier, Samantha Kleinfield

Product Details

16 pages, 5.5″×8.5″

Funding Support

This project was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Diana Ayala.